Earth tamper or the like



Dec. 16, 1941.

T. MURPHY v I EARTH TAMPER OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 INVENTOR 6 Thomas Murphy BY Q? ATTO s l atentecl Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EARTH TAMPER OR THE LIKE Thomas Murphy, Mount Healthy, Ohio Application February 5, 1941, Serial No. 377,538

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in an earth tamper or similar tool for compacting various substances such as earth, concrete, cinders, and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a tamper made in sections that may be attached or detached, as desired, to alter the tamping area and the weight of the tool so as to suit the tool to various kinds or types of work,

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character stated, including readily accessible and serviceable means for effecting quick attachment and detachment of the sections for the purposes mentioned above.

A further object is to provide a sectional tool of the kind referred to, which is so designed that it may be cast from metal without the use of complicated and expensive patterns, thereby to minimize the cost of manufacture.

Another object is to provide the tool sections with cooperative means including correspondingly tapered walls such that use of the tool tends always to preclude accidental separation of the sections during usage.

A further object is to provide a tamper having detachable sections of concentric ring formation, which may readily be hung upon a nail or other hanger for immediate accessibility when not in use.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of one form of tamper embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of tamper.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the central plug section of the tamper in either of its forms.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of an intermediate ring section of the Fig. 2 tamper.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the outer ring section of the Fig. 2 tamper.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

The two forms of tool illustrated by the drawing are primarily the same, the only substantial diiference being that the Fig. 1 form is rendered lighter in weight by casting grooves or depressions in the outer faces of the sections, as indicated at 6 and I. The plug or central section 8 likewise may be lightened, if desired. In the Fig. 2 form of the device, metal may be omitted in the same manner, or if preferred, the sections may be cored out to render them hollow. It should be understood that both the Fig. 1 and the Fig. 2 forms include appropriate means, for example the bayonet slot connections shown, for locking the sections together. These do not show on Fig. 1, because it is a cross-sectional view.

Referring first to Figs. 2 to 6 of the drawing, the characters 8, 9 and I0 indicate respectively, the central plug section, the intermediate ring section, and the outer ring section, of the improved tamper. The central plug section comprises an inverted truncated cone portion [2 and a shank I3, bored or otherwise formed with an elongated passageway of the character indicated at M of Fig. 1. The bore or passageway is adapted to receive a long wooden handle, which may be secured in position by means of a pin or rivet passing transversely therethrough at l5.

The conical portion [2 is tapered downwardly and inwardly, to provide a tamping area l6 at the lower end of the plug section, the tamping area being plane or solid so as to perform the service of compacting earth or other loose material to be tamped. The outline of the tamping area I6 is of full circle extent.

Along the tapered portion l2 there is formed an upright channel I! extending from the meeting line [8 between the shank and the cone portion, downwardly to substantially the periphery of the tamping area i6. The upper end of the channel terminates in the material of the shank, as shown, and is there widened so as to provide a step l9 and abutment 26, the latter being in substantial parallelism with the side 2! of the channel. In order that the channel may not end within the confines of the circular tamping area I6, the lower end of the channel is curved outwardly as at 22 to provide an edge 23 coinciding with the outer limit of the circle that defines the tamping area. If desired, the curve 22 may be quite long and may extend to the top of the channel, so that the channel wall 2! would be substantially triangular.

The lower conical portion l2 of the central plug section 8 is adapted to fit snugly within the corresponding tapered central opening 24 of the intermediate ring section 9, the tapered surfaces being so related that when the portion l2 of the plug section is fully inserted, the tamping area 25 of the ring section will be coplanar with the tamping area It of the plug section. An integral lug 26 projecting inwardly of the tapered opening 24, is adapted for. reception within the channel I! of the plug section when the parts are assembled, and upon reaching the upper end of the channel the lug 26 may be positioned upon the step i9 against the abutment 28, by simply imparting a partial rotation to the ring section 9, in counterclockwise direction. The engagement of the resultant bayonet slot structure precludes the possibility of accidental separation of the parts during use of the tamper. When the parts 8 and 9 are assembled as stated, with the lug 26 resting upon the step !9, a suitable wedge or a stick of wood or the like may be inserted into the channel I! so as to block possible rotation of the one part relative to the other.

The upper portion 27 of the intermediate ring section 9 slopes downwardly and outwardly to 'a line 28, where it meets a truncated cone shaped wall 29 which is adapted to fit within a correspondingly tapered opening 30 of the outer ring section It, just as the part 12 of the plug-section fits the tapered opening 24 of the intermediate ring section. A channel 3| corresponding to the channel I! of the plug section 8 is formed in the tapered wall 29, and terminates in an edge 32 that coincides with the outer peripheral edge that defines the tamping area 25. At its upper end, the channel 3| terminates in the top portion 2'! of the intermediate ring section, and

is there widened to form the step 33 and an abutment .34 at right angles to the step. As will be understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the tapered wall 29 is insertable into the corresponding tapered opening 39 of the outer ring section i provided that the integral lug 35 be aligned with the channel 3!. Upon so assembling the parts 9 and ID, the lower face of lug 35 will assume a position level with the step 33 while the tamping area rests within the plane of the tamping area 36 of the outer ring section Ill. With the parts of the bayonet slot connection thus related, it is necessary only to rotate the outer ring section relative to the intermediate ring section '9 for disposing the lug over the step 33 and against the stop 34 for locking the parts in .assembled position.

After the parts have been looked as stated, the upper end of channel 3! will be exposed and if necessary, a wedge of wood or other material may be inserted or driven downwardly toward the edge 32 of the channel for the purpose of precluding rotation of the ring sections to the unlocking or disengaging position. Upon removal of the wedge, the bayonet slot elements may be disengaged to efiect separation of the ring sections. In the event that the parts become tightly joined at the tapered openings, by reason of the entry of foreign material, or the like, they may readily be disassociated by applying a sharp I blow to one of the upstanding abutments 31 carried by the upper face of the outer ring section II). A similar abutment 38 may be provided on the intermediate ring section to receive a sharp blow, if necessary, in effecting disassociation of the intermediate ring section from the plug section of Fig. 3. The abutments 31 and 38 may be furnished in any suitable manner, such as by casting them integrally with the metal of the sections.

When the device is completely assembledin accordance with the Fig. 2 illustration, the several tamping areas 16, 25 and 36 rest in a common plane, thereby to gain the efiect of a solid tamping, or stomping tool. The tool resulting from assembling all of the sections as shown, is useful for tamping large areas, but when smaller areas are to be tamped or when the tamping iorce is to be confined to a limited area, one or both of the ring sections may be disconnected from the central plug section 8, leaving the 11mited tamping arc 16 available for service. It will be noted that by reason of the fact that the lower ends of channels I1 and 3| are closed, foreign matter being tamped will not readily enter the channels and obstruct them.

With reference to Fig. 1, it should be understood that the bayonet slot construction is incorporated therein, and that the parts fit together in exactly the same manner specified in the description of Figs. 2 to 6. In order to reduce the weight of the assembly, the intermediate section of Fig. 1, and the outer ring section H39, may be grooved or cut away as indicated at 6 and I. Should it be considered desirable to furnish an abutment corresponding to the abutments 3! and 38 of Figs. 5 and 4, ribs or Webs 39 and 40 may be furnished upon the parts 90 and IN, to receive the blows of a hammer or other available tool.

In each form of the invention, the bottom 4| of the handle bore or socket [4 will have thereon an upstanding wedge 42 adapted to split the lower end of handle 43 when the handle is driven into the bore or socket. A portion of the bore or socket at its lower end preferably is flared outwardly as at 43, so as to increase its diam eter Where the split will occur in the lower end of the handle, thereby rendering the connection secure'and incapable of becoming loose. The pin or rivet I5 is to be driven through a transverse aperture in the handle subsequently to driving the lower end of the handle to its ultimate position with respect to the upstanding wedge 42. The wedge may be cast integrally with the plug 8, or it may be a separate part inserted into the handle bore, as desired. Fig. 1 clearly indicates the manner in which the tamping areas of the several tool sections cooperate to form a planar surface for the lower end of the tool. The figure indicates also the manner in which the concentric rings fit to one another and to the tapered lower end of the .plug section, in the fully assembled condition of the .tool.

Should it be deemed necessary or desirable to furnish a tool of the Fig. 2 construction, with the weight reduced, the parts may be lightened in the manner suggested by Fig. 1, or alternatively, by utilizing cores in the molding of the various parts, to render them hollow. It should be understood that the device of Fig. 3 will include the type of bore and a wedge therein, the same as is illustrated by Fig. l. The bayonet slot connection is .to be considered illustrative only, of a number of possible modes of locking the parts together, and various other modifications and changes may be made in the structural details of the device, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:v

i. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central earth tamping plug including an upright handle and having a bottom tamping area exposed always substantially at right angles to the handle, a detachable tamping section having a bottom tamping area for application to the plug with the tamping areas in a common plane, to selectively increase the effective tamping area of the tool and separable cooperative mounting means on the plug and said tamping section for temporary mounting of the tamping section upon the plug.

2. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central earth tamping plug including an upright handle and having a tamping area exposed substantially at right angles to the handle, a detachable tamping ring having a substantially central opening and a surrounding planar tamping area, and separable means for temporarily mounting the tamping ring about the central plug with the tamping area of the ring in coplanar relationship with the tamping area of the plug.

3. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central earth tamping plug including an upright handle and having a tamping area substantially at right angles to the handle, a detachable tamping ring having a substantially central opening and a surrounding planar tamping area, and separable means for temporarily mounting the tamping ring about the central plug with the tamping area of the ring in coplanar relationship with the tamping area of the plug, the plug and the opening of the ring being correspondingly tapered and fitted to limit entry of the plug into the opening upon establishing the stated coplanar relationship of the tamping areas.

4. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central tamping plug having a lower tamping area, a detachable tamping ring having a substantially central opening and a surrounding planar tamping area, the plug and the opening of the ring being correspondingly tapered and. fitted to limit entry of the plug into the opening to the extent of establishing a coplanar relationship of the tamping areas, and separable means for temporarily mounting the tamping ring about the central plug with their tamping areas disposed in a common plane.

5. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central tamping plug comprising a shank and an inverted truncated cone shaped end whose tapered wall defines a full circular bottom tamping area of the plug, said tapered wall being channeled from the tamping area upwardly toward the shank and stepped with an ofiset portion providing a bayonet slot open where the shank meets the tapered wall, a tamping ring having a lower tamping area with a central opening therein, said opening being tapered in correspondency with the taper of the plug, and dimensioned to limit insertion of the plug into the opening to the extent of establishing a coplanar relationship of the tamping area of the plug to the tamping area of the ring, and a lug in the opening adapted for reception in the channel of the plug wall, to lock the parts together upon partially rotating the ring to effect engagement of the lug with the step of the channel.

6. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central tamping plug comprising a shank and an inverted truncated cone shaped end whose tapered wall defines a full circular bottom tamping area of the plug, said tapered wall being channeled from the tamping area upwardly toward the shank and stepped. with an offset portion providing a bayonet slot open where the shank meets the tapered wall, a tamping ring having a lower tamping area with a central opening therein, said opening being tapered in correspondency with the taper of the plug, and dimensioned to limit insertion of the plug into the opening to the extent of establishing a coplanar relationship of the tamping area of the plug to the tamping area of the ring, and a lug in the opening adapted for reception in the channel of the plug wall, to lock the parts together upon partially rotating the ring to eifect engagement of the lug with the step of the channel, leaving the channel open at the shank and closed at the tamping areas for retaining a wedge inserted therein.

7. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central tamping plug comprising a shank and an inverted truncated cone shaped end whose tapered wall defines a full circular bottom tamping area of the plug, said tapered wall being channeled from the tamping area upwardly toward the shank and stepped with an offset portion providing a bayonet slot open where the shank meets the tapered wall, a tamping ring having a lower tamping area with a central opening therein, said opening being tapered in correspondency with the taper of the plug, and dimensioned to limit insertion of the plug into the opening to the extent of establishing a coplanar relationship of the tamping area of the plug to the tamping area of the ring, and a lug in the opening adapted for reception in the channel of the plug wall, to lock the parts together upon partially rotating the ring to efiect engagement of the lug with the step of the channel, and means on the tamping ring providing an abutment to be struck for displacing the lug from the channel step in engaging or disengaging the parts.

3. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central tamping plug having a handle-receiving bore and a lower tamping area substantially at right angles to the axis of the bore, an upstanding wedge in the bore having its wedging angle directed away from the tamping area and toward the open upper end of the bore, the bore in the region of the wedge being enlarged to accommodate the split and spread the end of a handle driven into the bore and over the wedging angle of the wedge, a detachable tamping ring having a substantially central opening and a surrounding planar tamping area, the opening being receptive of the tamping plug, and cooperative tapered walls in the opening and upon the plug to tighten the connection between the plug and the ring each time a downward force is applied to the handle for increasing the wedging action within the bore.

9. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a central tamping plug having a handle-receiving bore and a lower tamping area substantially at right angles to the axis of the bore, an upstanding wedge in the bore having its wedging angle directed away from the tamping area and toward the open upper end of the bore, a detachable tamping ring having a substantially central opening and a surrounding planar tamping area, the opening being receptive of the tamping plug, and cooperative tapered walls in the opening and upon the plug to tighten the connection between the plug and the ring each time a downward force is applied to the handle for increasing the wedging action within the bore.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a tool head having a handle bore open at one end and a bottom closing the opposite end of the bore, the bore being enlarged near the closed end thereof, and a wedge upstanding upon the bottom of the bore with its wedging faces directed toward the open end of the bore, to split a wood handle driven into the bore and to spread the split portion of the handle into the enlargement of the bore.

. THOMAS MURPHY. 

